Live from the Maasdam - March 28th Southern Caribbean

The Maasdam is outside my window beckoning - so it must be time to start my live thread:)

A lovely view from the Embassy Suites of the Zuidie and the Maasdam.

We had one hectic time getting here. A huge 'nor easter was barrelling into our little town in the Maritimes and scheduled to hit on the original day we were leaving (and hit it did) so we knew we had to get out of Dodge earlier. Even though we were leaving 2 days early it seemed unlikely we would get to FLL in time to make our ship.

So, we flew out the day before, overnighted in Toronto and then flew in to FLL on Wednesday. Air Canada managed to route one of our bags to the wrong place but fortunately they were able to locate it before it got on the plane to Calgary and an hour and 1/2 later we had all our bags. I just had to shake my head in wonder how anyone could lose a bag on the puddle hopper that we take to get to Toronto.

There were a few of us staying here at ES so I asked the manager if he could accommodate our group by saving us some seats. Once again he was wonderful and we had that little alcove reserved for our cruise critic friends.

For those wondering about the Embassy Suites' renovations, they are all done. We kind of like it as the tables are bigger and the chairs more comfortable in the general area. The buffet is better laid out and the space seems much larger.

There seem to be fewer plants in one section but the rest are there and not there are trees as well (orange trees I think) which have fruit on them.

For the first time, we had lunch with friends here at the hotel by the pool and it was very good.

In a few hours we will be on board the beautiful Maasdam. Internet permitting, we will try to report in on a regular basis.

Really looking forward to your review. Have a safe and wonderful cruise!

Hi Jackie:

This is Rotterdamgal (Mary and Larry; I gave you the crown when we sailed the TA two years ago). Hope you and Jose have a lovely time. Please say "hi" to Afid and Kiki, MDR, late seating, table 44, if you can. Great gentlemen. We will watch your sail away today. Have a ball!!

Mary and Larry. XO

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

You've earned this cruise, having to endure the winter in the Maritimes this year! We complain about the cold here on the frozen tundra, but we don't get 120cms of heavy wet snow in 2 days and howling winds like you do. I wish you a Bon Voyage and wonderful times making memories onboard the Maasdam.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Gerry

I watched the Maasdam sail into FLL just before 5 AM. It looked beautiful all lit up. Sure hope you have a great cruise! :)

Have a great trip. I posted a pix of what you are missing here in the Maritimes on your FB messenger. Thought it might make you a little homesick. :)

Have a wonderful cruise, Jacqui and Jose! Am so glad you made it to FLL well ahead of time.

From my room in South Africa, wishing you a wonderful cruise.

Roy

Glad you were able to get out from home before all hell broke loose! What an experience.

Have a great time on that beautiful ship.

Enjoy your cruise, we'll tag along too.

Have a great cruise....thanks for taking us along!

Jaqui:

Have a great cruise. I'll be following along because I board on April 11 when you get off.

Have a wonderful cruise. I'll try to get some screen shots of your sail-away! Now I just have to remember how to do it!:D

Have a great cruise!

You are sailing today on our favorite cruise ship. She is a great ship with a fine crew and wonderful passengers. Sure hope you enjoy her as much as we do. Bon Voyage.:)

Wahooo!

Hello from the Noordam! Have a great time!

Hello from the Noordam! Have a great time!

Wow! Ship-to-ship communication.:D

:D I'm addicted!

Have a great well deserved cruise and thanks for all you do here on the CC boards.

Hi Jacqui: RotterdamGal here. Larry and I just saw all of you, with your Canadian flag, as you sailed from FLL. Webcam zoomed in very nicely on both groups. Have a ball!!

Don't know if it will work - but here goes:

Wow! Ship-to-ship communication.:D

It's like we're in the FUTURE!

Looking forward to your live reports.

I am sailing on Maasdam June 7th out of Boston. Hoping all the negative stuff recently reported can be put to rest. :)

Have a great cruise.

Watched the whole group of you sail out today, got a great look at our sail away addicts as you can see from the snap posted above by Vict0riann. Hope you all have a wonderful cruise and I'm looking forward to your live reports from the Maasdam.